keep bees

It looks like there are resources for beekeepers here, which is exciting. They offer courses, support, etc. I suspect the USDA and UMD-Ag are part of that.

But, before I can keep bees, I need to know that I can support them. My neighbors have a splendid garden that blooms all season, but mine is a bit…lackluster. So, until the two awful trees come down, and the path gets re-routed, and my perennial beds get put in and established, it can be a dream.

Save the bees!

I’m currently helping a beekeeping cooperative obtain some equipment and more bees with Peace Corps Morocco. It’s made me really appreciate beekeeping and solidified my desire to keep my own bees back in the United States after I return (along with a lot of fruit trees). Probably start with two hives and see where it goes from there. I also started to really enjoy all the different types of honey, not just the standard clover honey popular in the United States. There are so many more diverse and amazing types of honey available, some of my new favorites being rosemary honey and eucalyptus honey. Before I go home I’m going to have to buy a large jar or two.

I found a beekeeping talk at a library near me next week, so I’m going to go check it out. I would still love to keep bees in my backyard, maybe this spring/summer I can finally get set up.

This is the sort of thing that if the right things happen to come at the right time, I would totally do it. If they don’t, it’s okay. I’d at least like to visit a honey farm though if I don’t do it myself. :)

We’re going to postpone the bees until next year. I convinced Mom that we should get some so we’ll start the process of acquiring and placing the hives this fall/winter. In the spring, we’ll contact one of the local beekeepers and get a nuc from him. Sometimes good things come to those who wait…

Rick and I attended the bee keeping classes we have been thinking about for so long. We are determined to keep bees, but we won’t be moving on that goal until next spring. We don’t want to rush. I would like to purchase some of the gear (the smoker in particular) this year, but it’s not imperative.

I’ll set this aside in the “I give up” list in order to free up more room here.

Bees took up residence in the old guinea pig house in our back yard. My dad transferred them into a standard hive and harvested honey every year. When they swarmed, he got new hives to house them.

The fruit trees in the yard bore more fruit once the bees came.

Try it. The world needs more bees.

I still have an ambition to achieve this but I’m putting this on the back burner for now.
Apparently mobile phones are killing bees. Hope there are still enough bees about when I have a lifestyle conducive to keeping bees.

not where they are told what size comb to make.
I want to have them in a top down hive (TDH)
let them do whats best for them

I finally got my beehives set up. I put a couple at my dads house and a couple at mine. I am interested in seeing if there is a difference between country and city bees. As of late they have been doing well. I can’t wait to get some honey.